coastal musings

Even though the winter is now well and truly here, there are still plenty of things for you to do up in North Wales!

The town of Beaumaris, Anglesey is holding a Victorian Christmas event on Saturday November 29th, which will include fancy dress (with prizes!), Santa’s Grotto, Punch and Judy, a Barrel Organ, the Beaumaris Town Band, a paper lantern competition, as well as plenty of gift and craft stalls selling Christmas gift ideas. The entertainment will continue on through the evening in the town’s pub’s, including a spooky ghost tour! For further information please contact 01248 811115.

While in the area, why not check out the Utopia Salon in Menai Bridge, who have just enjoyed two wins at the British Beauty & Spa Awards 2008 (Regional Salon of the Year & U.K Customer Care categories) for a party-season make over - see www.utopiasalons.com for details

Finally if you are interested in Santa with a twist, why not go along to the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway and visit the Santa Train - see www.festrail.co.uk

As always, for all your accommodation needs, see www.coastalholidays.net - many properties with special offers throughout November! For the latest offer prices call 01248 715390

The weather seems to have taken a chilly turn this week, so why not chase away those winter blues with a cozy cottage getaway on Anglesey? Pack your waterproofs, wellies and wooly socks and take in the fantasic 125 miles of stunning coastline (an AONB), then dry yourself off in front of a roaring Welsh fire.

Check out www.coastalholidays.net where we still have some properties available, complete with open fireplace and/or log burners!

We still have some last minute availability for the first week in November, so why not tie in a winter break with Bonfire night and take in Beaumaris’ fantastic firework display. 

On saturday 1st November an organised display will be held on the waterfront in Beaumaris. While in the area why not check out Triple 8 cafe, Beaumaris on Church Street (opposite the George and Dragon pub) which will be open from 10am until 9pm, and holding a Bonfire Barbeque from 5pm, with Jacket Potatoes and Chili, Hot Vegetable Stew, Burgers, Hot Dogs, and hot and cold drinks on offer.  For a 10% discount, please quote reference number 16474.  Eat in or Take Away.

Remember, all the latest accommodation availability can be found on www.coastalholidays.net

We still have some properties available for the Halloween period, so why not come and see how we spend the spooky day here on Anglesey?!  There’s plenty going on, including a Halloween Family Fun Day at Plas Newydd - click here for details http://www.islandofchoice.com/eventdetails.asp?cat=60&event=882 as well as Spooky Lantern making at Holyhead Breakwater Country Park - click here for details http://www.islandofchoice.com/eventdetails.asp?cat=60&event=1140

As always, check out all our latest availiability on our Coastal website - www.coastalholidays.net

We’ve still got a small number of properties avaiable for the Half Term break.  If you would like to check the latest availability click here www.coastalholidays.net

Anglesey plays host to a huge range of events throughout the year from local art to local beer offering something to suit everyone;

Anglesey Markets

Holyhead – Mondays

Llangefni – Thursdays and Saturdays

Amlwch – Fridays

For further information contact 01248 750840

APRIL – SEPTEMBER

Evening Boat Trips, April to 30 September

Boat trips around Anglesey from Amwlch.  Contact Seekat Charters

JUNE

Beaumaris Festival

A major classical music event at Beaumaris

Anglesey Walking Festival

Stunning coastal and countryside walks.  Tel; 01248 725700, www.angleseywalkingfestival.com

Garden Open Day,

At Cae Newydd, Rhosgoch.  Tel;  01407 831354

JULY

On Yer Bike!

Bike ride for all ages.  10am start at Plas Arthur Leisure Centre, Llangefni, with a choice of a 14, 26 or mile route.  Tel;  01248 722119

Beaumaris Band Annual Summer Concert

Annual Summer Concert by Beaumaris Band at the Canolfan in Beaumaris from 7.30pm.  

Menai Strait Regatta

Series of yacht races and events held around the Island.  Billed as “The Family Regatta” this is a true sailing enthusiast’s festival with races organised in 19 classes for all sorts of craft including classic boats and even Celtic skiffs.  The must see event is when the boats race from Beaumaris to Caernarfon.

Trearddur Bay Sailing Club Regatta

Holyhead Festival, last weekend in July

A variety of events take place day and night in marquees on the beach, including a funfair, craft tent, mini sports programme and a majorette’s competition with 2,000 entrants.  A 60s music night on the Friday and an Irish music night on Saturday.  Tel;  01407 764020

AUGUST

The Anglesey Offshore Dinghy Race, August

Offshore Dinghy Race between Beaumaris and Red Wharf Bay which regularly attracts up to 100 of the best dinghy sailors from all over the UK and Europe. 

Holyhead Maritime Festival, August-September

Maritime Festival held at the Holyhead Maritime Museum and includes coastguard and lifeboat displays together with diving activities.

Lifeboat Open Days are held at:

Moelfre Lifeboat Open Day

Trearddur Bay Open Day

Holyhead  Open Day

Anglesey Agricultural Show - August

One of Wales’ premier agricultural shows held at Anglesey Showground, Gwalchmai.  www.angleseyshow.org.uk

Gwyl Cefni, end of August

A street festival of contemporary Welsh music and dance

SEPTEMBER

The Anglesey Beer Festival,

Sample large quantities of ale, cider and perry at this very merry event at Mona Showground.  www.angleseybeerfestival.com

European Kite Surfing Competition, September

Kite surfing competition at Rhosneigr.  Tel;  01407 810899

Anglesey Marathon

Choose from the full marathon (26.2 miles), a 10k or 5k race from Anglesey Showground at Gwalchmai.  There is also a dragons dash 1 mile race and football tournament for primary school children and many other activities and stalls to provide fun for all the family.  The day’s activities start from 9.30am with the main marathon beginning at 10.00am.  Colin Jackson, Anglesey Marathon Patron will be the special guest throughout the day.

www.angleseymarathon.com

OCTOBER

Anglesey’s Oyster and Welsh Produce Festival

Festival incorporating seafood and an eclectic mix of entertainment at various venues.  www.angleseyoysterfestival.com

NOVEMBER

Christmas Craft Fair, November-Christmas

Special Christmas Craft Fair at Oriel Ynys Mon Anglesey Museum and Art Gallery until Christmas.

THE 2008 ANGLESEY MARATHON WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ANGLESEY SHOWGROUND IN GWALCHMAI ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21ST 2008.

AS IN PREVIOUS YEARS THERE WILL BE A FULL MARATHON (26.2MILES) A 10K FUN RUN RACE AND A 5K FUN RUN RACE, HOWEVER, FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE CAN NOW CONFIRM THAT WE WILL BE ADDING A HALF MARATHON TO THE EVENT.

THERE WILL ALSO BE EXTENSIVE ON SITE ACTIVITIES AND JUNIOR RACES AT THE SHOWGROUND ON THE DAY ITSELF

YOU CAN CURRENTLY ENTER THE MARATHON, HALF MARATHON 5K FUN RUN AND 10K FUN RUN RACES ONLINE AT WWW.RUNNERSWORLD.CO.UK.

ALTERNATIVELY IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO OBTAIN AN ENTRY FORM OR HAVE ANY OTHER QUERIES PLEASE VISIT THE ‘CONTACT US’ SECTION TO CONTACT THE ANGLESEY MARATHON TEAM.

Debbie from The Little Tour Company is now in our office discussing her new website to promote Lesbian Tours to Thailand - check it out at www.thelittletourcompany.com

The owner has just been into our office of this new park, based overlooking the sea at Black Rock Sands, Porthmadog.  What a fantastic location, check it out www.taliesinlodgepark.co.uk

There are seven tourist information offices to provide additional information for Snowdonia visitors on activities, attractions and events as well as advice on places to stay and booking facilities.

Caernarfon TIC                                       01286 6712232

Betws y Coed TIC                                   01690 710426

Conwy TIC                                               01492 592248

Bangor TIC                                              01248 352786

Blaenau Ffestinog TIC                          01766 830360

Llanberis TIC                                          01286 870765

Beddgelert TIC                                       01766 890615

WEATHER

For up to date information on the weather and conditions in the mountains, contact the following:

Met office Weatherline:         0870 900 0100

SAFETY

Even in summer the mountains and their environs can be treacherous. Most mishaps occur to those who are inexperienced and/or ill-equipped so treat the mountains with respect take advice or try to ensure there is an experienced hill walker in the party. Tell someone your route and your expected return time. And don’t forget to phone them on your return.

Mobile phones often have no coverage in the mountains so it would be advisable to carry a whistle. You will need a good map the correct boots suitable clothing and don’t forget to check the weather. Reports are often on the doors and notice boards of outdoor shops and tourist offices.

PUBLIC INTERNET ACCESS

Mobile phone and internet connections in Snwodonia are variable but the following libraries have public access terminals which provide free access to the internet. Call to check opening times:

Bangor 01248 353479

Caernarfon 01286 679463

Bethesda 01248 600737

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Snowdonia is easy to get around. There is a good network of bus routes and some train services covering the area. For details on times and routes the tourist information offices have an excellent bus and rail timetable that also includes a detailed map. Or contact Traveline Cymru on 0871 200 22 33, wwwtraveline.info. Text 84268.

The Snowdon Sherpa is the collective name for a handful of interconnecting bus routes designed to allow you to concentrate on the scenery and leave your car behind. There are four routes altogether: Llanberis - Pen y Pass, Betws y Coed - Pen y Pass, Caernarfon - Beddgelert, Caernarfon - Bethesda - Betws y Coed.

A day ticket of around £4 (£2 for children) allows you to get on and off the network as many times as you like. Or you can get a free ticket by paying to park at any of the seven Sherpa car parks.  A map of the network containing further details and time table is available at tourist information centres or visit www.gwynedd.gov.uk/bwsgwynedd.

Red Rover tickets are available on all bus routes throughout Northern Snowdonia and on trains and buses in the Conwy Valley between Lllandudno, Betws y Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog and on bus routed linking Bangor, Llandudno and Caernarfon. Priced at £4.95 for an adult, child £2.45 they provided unlimited travel for one day and can be presented at Ffestiniog and Welsh Highlands Railways for a discount.

FOLLOW THE COUNTRY CODE

Leave gates and property as you find them

Protect plants and animals

Take your litter home

Keep your dog under close control

Consider other people